Dubai's Detry goes low to revive DP World Tour Championship hopes

The Belgian carded his lowest ever DP World Tour round at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

After two rounds of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Dubai-based Thomas Detry’s hopes of securing a place in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship looked dead and buried.

An opening round of 72, followed by a second-round 68, left the Belgian at four under par, tied for 52nd - well below the finish required to break into the top 50 of the Race to Dubai Rankings to earn a spot in the season finale in Dubai.

But now, everything has changed.

Detry’s chances of taking on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates were reignited with a sensational third-round 10-under-par 62 – his lowest ever DP World Tour round.

Known as "moving day" in the golf world, Saturday lived up to its name as Detry rocketed 45 places up the leaderboard to a tie for seventh, just four shots behind leader Paul Waring.

If Detry maintains this position through tomorrow’s final round, he’s projected to climb 13 spots to 53rd in the Race to Dubai Rankings - agonisingly short of the top 50 who secure a spot in the DP World Tour Championship.

However, with another inspired round at Yas Links, Detry could yet seal his place in Dubai.

“Unfortunately, I haven't been able to play that much on the DP World Tour this year, and it's been amazing to qualify for this week,” said Detry, who has predominantly played on the PGA Tour this season.

“And I really want to try to qualify for next week, as well. I've given myself a last final good chance tomorrow to make it, a final go to Dubai, and hopefully I can play my best golf again and be there next week.”

Detry gets his final round underway on Sunday at 10:58am alongside Robert MacIntyre and Nicolai Højgaard, who also needs a strong final round to ensure he has a chance to defend his DP World Tour Championship title next week.